Optima takes on Movember for men’s health

By the end of the month, the team had recorded an impressive 8,935,443 steps — approximately 4,468km — while ten colleagues committed to growing their own Mo.

Most importantly, the combined effort helped raise £2,075 for Movember, supporting its work across men’s mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

More than a moustache

Movember provides an opportunity to put men’s health firmly into the conversation.

For Optima, that meant giving colleagues different ways to get involved. Some grew moustaches, others walked or ran as part of the Step Up Challenge, while colleagues across the business donated and supported those taking part.

Together, those individual efforts added up to almost nine million steps over the course of the month.

The moustaches also had an important role to play. Ten appeared across the business during Movember, providing a visible — and occasionally questionable — reminder of the reason behind the campaign and helping start conversations about men’s health.

8.9 million steps for a shared cause

The Step Up Challenge encouraged colleagues to get moving throughout the month, whether that meant walking, running or simply adding more activity to their everyday routines.

Collectively, the team reached 8,935,443 steps, equivalent to around 4,468km.

Alongside the physical challenge, donations from colleagues and supporters brought the total raised to £2,075.

Thank you to everyone who walked, ran, grew a Mo, donated or encouraged the team throughout the month. Every contribution helped make the campaign a success and, more importantly, supported a cause that affects people across our workplaces, families and communities.

Movember may last for a month, but the conversations it encourages around men’s physical and mental health need to continue throughout the year.